The recently published World Intellectual Property Indicators 2024 report by the World Intellectual Property Organization highlights record trends in intellectual property filings worldwide during 2023.
Patent applications reached a historic high of 3.55 million, marking a 2.7% increase compared to 2022, driven primarily by Asian countries, which accounted for 68.7% of the global total. China, the U.S., Japan, South Korea and India were the leading contributors, with India showing the fastest growth among the top 20 (+15.7%). This Asian leadership reflects a strategic shift in the global landscape, where countries in the region have invested heavily in robust innovation ecosystems, significant R&D investments and policies promoting the modernization of key industries.
Trademark activity, however, recorded a decrease for the second consecutive year, with a 2% drop in applications, reaching a total of 11.63 million filed. Despite this, India and the Russian Federation experienced significant growth. Asia continues to dominate this field, increasing its share of these filings from 49% in 2013 to 66.7% in 2023. This growth highlights how Asia not only leads in technology but also in strengthening and creating its own marks, reflecting its expanding domestic markets and the growing internationalization of its companies.
Regarding industrial designs, applications grew by 2.8%, totalling 1.19 million, reflecting increased innovation in sectors such as textiles, machinery and healthcare. Applications in this field in India surged by 36.4%, emphasizing its growing focus on product design and manufacturing. This growth is a direct result of initiatives like “Make in India” promoted by the government, which boosts local production and design aimed at global competition.
In the field of intellectual property, Spain stands out, ranking in the top 10 for utility models, top 20 for trademarks and top 15 for industrial designs globally, strengthening its relevance in these key areas.
It is important to highlight that technological innovation in fields such as information technology, energy and digital communications has played a key role in these trends. This underscores how Asia, particularly China, South Korea and India, not only manufactures technology but also leads the creation of new technological developments shaping the global digital economy.
The report emphasizes the global shift towards improving local innovation ecosystems and how countries like India have leveraged strategic policies to scale IP activity, contributing to sustainable economic development. Taken together, these data reflect how Asia has transitioned from a manufacturing hub to the epicenter of global innovation, marking a shift in the balance of economic and technological power.
Paula Cerrillo
